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6 Ways to Beat the Coming Champagne Price Hike

Duc de Romet Brut Prestige NV is one of the best value Champagnes available.

So much for a double-dip recession. According to the CEO of Moet Hennessy USA, Champagne prices are likely to rise significantly next year for one very simple reason: increased demand.

“Champagne now faces growing scarcity, due mainly to growth in the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) markets,” Jim Clerkin told Shanken News Daily last month. Because the Champagne region is limited in size, production is capped at about 320 million bottles a year. And it costs more to make a bottle of Champagne these days, with both grape and land costs skyrocketing. As a result, Clerkin predicts that some of his brands will see double-digit price increases.

The solution? Check out these lesser-known Champagnes, all priced at $40 or less, recommended by three of the countries top wine masters and sommeliers.

Duc de Romet Brut Prestige NV ($30)“This must be the best Champagne value out there,” says Master of Wine Mary Gorman-McAdams. “It’s an excellent value Blanc de Noirs from the Vallée de la Marne area of Champagne. It is mainly Pinot Meunier with about 25 percent Pinot Noir—refined and very delicious.”

Pierre Moncuit NV Hugues de Coulmet Blanc de Blancs Brut (about $35)“One of my favorite Champagne styles is Blanc de Blancs,” says Master of Wine Christy Canterbury. “Because it is made exclusively with Chardonnay, it tends to need food, which is perfect for holiday gatherings where hors d’oeuvres are served before dinner.

Agrapart NV Champagne Blanc de Blanc “7 Crus” ($35 – $39) Gorman-McAdams also likes this elegant Champagne from a small house in the Côtes des Blancs, a non-vintage blend of grapes from the seven cru villages in the region.

Bereche et Fils, Brut Reserve (about $39)Master Sommelier Fernando Beteta likes this non-vintage Champagne, which he admits may be hard to find, but it’s worth searching out. “It is superb and dry, with purity of fruit, which is the winemaker’s style,” he says. “The blend is almost equal parts Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier with 30 percent reserve from past vintages.”

Paul Dethune NV Grand Cru Ambonnay (about $39).The Dethune family has been bottling estate-grown Champagnes since 1890. “The wines are seamless, with a beautiful depth of minerality and richness from higher proportion of Pinot Noir,” says Beteta. “Located in the Grand Cru village of Ambonnay, they have some very famous neighbors—right across the street is where Krug has their famous Clos d’Ambonnay. which sells for an average $3000 a bottle!” Paul Dethune also produces a lovely 2002 Vintage Champagne for just $89.

André Clouet NV Réserve Brut (about $40)“I also enjoy the harder-to-find Blanc de Noirs from certain producers, particularly this under-the-radar bottle from Andre Clouet, which is made entirely from Pinot Noir,” says Canterbury. This style of Champagne has more body than those that also have Chardonnay, so they are great for drinking alone. And because they have lots of red fruit character, they pair well with meat dishes.

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